Archive for the ‘cancer therapy’ tag

Chemotherapy are drugs that are used in treating cancer, also known as anticancer drugs. Normally chemotherapy will affect both the cancer cells, as well as reach the entire body and therefore affecting every cell including those that are normal. So this explains why chemotherapy has a lot of side-effects depending on the type of chemotherapy administered and the type of cancer .

These drugs are usually given directly into the blood stream, applied on the skin, or as a pill via the mouth, intramuscular through the muscle and through the fast tissue as well.

Here are some of the common side-effects that cut across the major types of chemotherapeutic drugs available:

1. Hair loss (alopecia) that is usually reversible.

2. These drugs will reduce the number of blood cell counts, e.g. white blood cells which are responsible for immunity.

3. Severe nausea and vomiting that could go on for a number of days.

4. Damage to some of the vital organs like the heart, kidney and the lungs.

Other side-effects that are more specific to different drugs include, diarrhea, allergic reactions to that particular drug, presence of mouth ulcers, presence of rashes on the skin, some drugs will make you become photosensitive. Constipation and general problems with the digestive system will also accompany chemotherapy .

In conclusion, before one is to start this therapy, it is important for them to be informed on some of these side-effects and for specific drugs so that they will be able to cope and comply whenever these side-effects appear. Other ways that can help in mitigating these side-effects could be employed by the health professionals to increase the level of comfort to the client.